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Gowdy said that while he regretted the “personal ramifications” of Petraeus’ sudden resignation over an extramarital affair, it would not stop Congress from hearing from him about the assault on the consulate that left four Americans dead.

“The fact that he’s resigned and had an affair has nothing to do with whether or not he’s gonna be subpoenaed to Congress,” Gowdy said on Fox News’ “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren.” “I hope we don’t have to subpoena a four-star general and the former CIA director, I hope he would come voluntarily, but if he won’t he will be subpoenaed and none of what has happened today is a defense to a subpoena.”

The CIA has come under sharp scrutiny in the wake of the Benghazi attacks. Petraeus had been slated to testify Thursday at closed congressional hearings before the House and Senate intelligence committees, but acting CIA Director Michael Morell is now expected to take his place.

“There’s no way we can get to the bot of Benghazi without David Petraeus,” Gowdy said. “While he might not be around next week because he’s got personal matters, the week after that and the week after that, this excuse will run stale.”